Science Castle Malaysia 2026 Concludes with Celebration of Innovation and Future Changemakers in Its Second Edition in Sarawak

KUCHING, MALAYSIA, 16 April 2026 — Science Castle Malaysia 2026 successfully concluded its second edition in Sarawak as a national platform for secondary school students to showcase their talents in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The event was held at Dewan Jubli, UiTM Cawangan Sarawak, Kampus Samarahan from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, bringing together young innovators from across the country and reinforcing its mission to nurture curiosity, critical thinking, and real-world problem-solving among the next generation.

Organised by Leave a Nest Malaysia, Science Castle Malaysia continues to serve as a bridge between education, industry, and society. The 2026 edition in Sarawak featured strong collaboration with academic institutions, government agencies, and industry partners working collectively to empower students through hands-on scientific exploration and meaningful engagement.

A total of 81 teams presented their research across two categories, with 70 teams participating in Poster Presentation and 11 teams in Oral Presentation. These formats enabled participants to communicate their ideas effectively while strengthening their scientific and presentation skills. The projects covered a wide range of themes, including environmental sustainability, health and biotechnology, food innovation, smart technologies, and community-driven solutions.

The one-day conference welcomed approximately 600 participants, including students, educators, government representatives, and industry collaborators, who came together to exchange ideas and celebrate innovation in STEM education.

In his special remarks, Prof. Dr. Firdaus Abdullah, Rector of UiTM Cawangan Sarawak, emphasised the importance of nurturing young talents through platforms like Science Castle, highlighting UiTM’s commitment to supporting STEM education and innovation among students in the region.

Meanwhile, Dr. Cheong Yaw Liang, Head of Innovation at the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD), underscored the role of such initiatives in shaping future-ready talents, encouraging students to continue exploring science and technology to address real-world challenges and contribute to national development.

Since its introduction in Malaysia in 2017, Science Castle has grown into a leading platform for cultivating scientific thinking and problem-solving skills among secondary school students. With its expansion to the regional stage through Science Castle Asia, the initiative continues to provide opportunities for Malaysian students to engage with peers across the region and present their innovations on an international platform.

Science Castle Malaysia 2026 reaffirmed its commitment to inclusivity and accessibility by ensuring participation from students across diverse backgrounds and regions. The platform continues to play a vital role in strengthening the national STEM ecosystem and encouraging students to address real-world challenges through science and technology.

The conference was made possible through the collaboration of a diverse network of partners. It was endorsed by the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD). The event was co-organised by Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Cawangan Sarawak and the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC). Ajinomoto (M) Berhad served as the Main Partner, while University of Tsukuba Malaysia (UTMy) and Yayasan OBYU came on board as Supporting Partners. Additional strength was provided by Ecosystem Partners Keris Sakti and Yayasan Mr. DIY, with further support from Business Events Sarawak. Together, these organisations played a vital role in the successful implementation of the conference.

Award Winners

Grand Award (RM1000)

• O3 — SJKC Chung Hua Krokop
  Smart Soil and Pest Monitoring System

Oral Awards 

• Ajinomoto Malaysia Berhad Award (Fully Paid EduTour to Ajinomoto Factory in Bandar Enstek & Invitation to Science Castle Asia 2026*)
  • O10 — SMK Penrissen
    Freshwater Mussels for Water Purification
• SDEC Award (Fully Paid EduTour to Japan & Invitation to Science Castle World 2026*)
  • O7 — Yayasan Sarawak International School Petra Jaya
    Genetic Sequencing of Endemic Orchids in Kuching, Sarawak

*T&C Applied

Poster Awards (RM250 each)

Yayasan OBYU Awards

• P16 — SM St Michael Penampang, Sabah, Malaysia
  BananaFlex
• P40 — SMK Sri Aman
  ZIGZAG-FLEX

AMB Awards

• P27 — SMK Hajah Laila Taib
  From Waste to Energy: Sustainable Production of Biodiesel and Glycerol from Used Cooking Oil
• P04 — Kolej Datu Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah
  BIOSMART-PACK (Smart Colour-changing Biodegradable Food Packaging)

SDEC Awards

• P41 — SMK Sungai Tapang
  Reverb: An AI-Powered Gamified Community Platform for Pollution Reporting, Recycling Engagement, and Tree-Planting Initiatives
• P34 — SMK Lundu
  Modernization of Traditional Selukai Bark into a Controlled-Combustion Repellent Block

Leave a Nest Awards

• P24 — SMK Chung Hua, Sibu
  Smart Flood Detection and Alert System
• P43 — SMS Hulu Selangor
  Development of Eco-Absorb: A Sustainable Absorbent Material from Recycled Was